Meet the 2026 FENV Changemaker Award Nominees

Belinda Li (She/Her) | PhD, Resource and Environmental Management

What makes Belinda a Changemaker?

Belinda contributes her professional skills to various organizations, serving as a board member of the Vancouver Food Justice Coalition, where she has recently co-authored the "Advancing the Right to Food in Vancouver with Adequate Funding Budget Policy Brief" and also a small but mighty community composting initiative in northern B.C.

Belinda co-leads a participatory community-engaged research with Making Agriculture Sustainable in the Hazeltons, a non-profit organization focused on food security in the Hazeltons, a rural community in northern British Columbia, Canada. Her work has been featured in a recently launched UN FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) report on “Building Resilient Food Systems” and she is an SFU CERi Graduate fellow.

Belinda has gone above and beyond to support the community in the Hazeltons, including supporting with the development and building of the community composting hub, as well as developing materials and resources that can be used by the organization to engage the broader public for knowledge translation/ mobilization. During the six-month pilot community composting program, more than 7000 kg of compostable material was collected and Belinda was not afraid to "get dirty" as she measured, categorized and quantified the impact of this initiative. She even wrote a song "Community Composting Hoedown" to create a novel knowledge mobilization approach and raise awareness about community composting for her thesis!

Relevant Links

• Communicating Research Through Song (SFU CERi LinkedIn)

Joshua Li | BSc, Environmental Science, Environmental Earth Systems

What makes Joshua a Changemaker?

Joshua Li is a Changemaker through his leadership in student-driven sustainability initiatives, applied environmental research, and involvement in community-based environmental restoration initiatives. His work bridges environmental science, sustainable business, and social impact, translating academic knowledge into measurable, real-world change.

As the Community Recreation Coordinator with Moresports BC in 2024, Joshua secured grant funding from Fraser Health, University of British Columbia, and BC Children’s Hospital to fund a sustainability-based curriculum for summer camp students. Joshua designed four-week lesson plans and provided roughly 200 camp participants with hands-on experience learning about environmental sustainability through tree-planting and gardening activities.

In 2024, Joshua was the project coordinator of Enactus SFU’s BetterBar Project. The BetterBar Project is a sustainability initiative that recycles used-cooking oil and repurposes it into personal care products. In Enactus SFU’s organization of 117 undergraduate students from different faculties, Joshua represented the faculty as the only student from the Faculty of Environment. Joshua researched and developed the formula for the product, analyzed sustainability metrics, and ensured compliance with the Government of Canada’s cosmetic policies. Joshua supported the growth of the BetterBar project through acquiring donations of used cooking oil, production sessions and community outreach and engagement. Within the first week of sales, BetterBar generated $175 in revenue.

Joshua is now the Research and Development Lead of Enactus SFU’s Alara project. The Alara project aims to support environmental sustainability by reducing plastic waste through creating an alternative to single-use plastic utensils. The Alara bioplastic utensils are biodegradable at-home compostable alternatives to conventional plastics that are made with recycled algal biopolymers. As the Research and Development Lead, Joshua creates change through Alara by leading production sessions, refining iterations of the Alara bioplastic utensil and assessing sustainability potential as an alternative to conventional bioplastics. With Enactus SFU’s growth to over 130 students from different faculties, Joshua remains as the sole student representing the Faculty of Environment.

Laurence Magenga (He/Him) | BSc, Geographic Information Systems

What makes Laurence a Changemaker?

Laurence is an international student who started his journey at FIC and found his passion in GIS at SFU.

In one of his classes last year, he used his GIS skills to develop a web application to track earthquakes in real-time and identify hospitals within a 30-mile radius that are at risk of experiencing impacts. With this app, his goal is to help emergency responders and personnel in their rapid decision-making, and to ultimately save more lives. He has since been contacted by a Canadian humanitarian group interested in further developing the project.

This project inspired Laurence to use his skills to develop another app for tracking deforestation. The main goal of this app is to support tree-planting and forestation groups in making more informed decisions, focusing their efforts on areas that need it the most. It is designed to not only track deforestation itself but how people and species in the area are impacted by it. It tracks nearby land features, the soil in the area and the terrain. It is also designed to highlight the costs that follow deforestation and how much will be required to recover that area.

In addition to his GIS projects, Laurence has been an active member of the Faculty of Environment's community since his first year. He is both an EnvironMentor, supporting students new to the Faculty, and a Bridging Environment's mentor, guiding green high school clubs in their annual projects. Laurence is also part of the Faculty's Student Leadership Team as an interdepartmental representative for the Geography Student Union (GSU).

Relevant links

• SFU GIS undergraduate develops real-time earthquake monitoring app (FENV news story)
• Eco Lens Web app

Maxime MacInnes-Cann (She/They) |  BEnv, Global Environmental Systems

What makes Max a Changemaker?

Max is a leader and changemaker, always looking for opportunities to help drive local community climate solutions.

When Max joined the Faculty of Environment to study Global Environmental Systems in 2022, she brought a wealth of experience in climate action and education. Max continued this work through presentations about climate action to her peers and as a member of the City of New Westminster's Youth Climate Leadership Team, where she volunteered her time to making a real impact on the city's climate goals. The leadership program finished with a successful project to build a rain garden at a school in New Westminster.

Max is currently working on a project to daylight a lost stream, bringing formerly buried streams back to the surface. The project’s goal is climate mitigation through ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation to reduce flooding and environmental education throughout the whole process.

Max is a leader and community-builder for SFU. Max spent two years as part of the Student Leadership Team, and is the co-chair of the Geography Student Union. In all these roles, Max embodies a commitment to justice, care, and uplifting others.

Max led a collaboration between SFU and UBC's undergraduate geography groups through the Climate Futures Town Hall and was one of the emcees for RANGE 2025, a conference by and for students interested in geography. Max was an SFU delegate for COP 30 in 2025 and continues to represent and advocate for the faculty's student by helping run engaging, meaningful events for students.

Whether she is organizing events that bring Faculty of Environment students together or being a voice for the planet at conferences, committees and forums, Max is a curious, inclusive and action-oriented changemaker.

Relevant links

• SFU GSU Exec Team
• City of new Westminster Youth Climate Leadership Team
• The Lost Streams of New Westminster Project

Mikayla Boule | MRM, Resource and Environmental Management

What makes Mikayla a Changemaker?

Mikayla is a strong leader in the REM Master's program. Through REMSU and REPSA, she helps uplift and connect her peers.

Mikayla’s master’s project involves supporting the Sts’ailes in their land-use planning process. Her work focuses on anti-colonial cartography to help centre the lived experiences, histories and visions of Sts’ailes citizens. Mikayla was accepted into the CERi fellowship program, which highlights her high level of insight and passion towards community-led research. In the program, Mikayla continues to strengthen her community-led research skill set, demonstrating a desire to make the world a better place through decolonial practices, actions that advance environmental stewardship and community-led initiatives.

In class, Mikayla demonstrates a depth of knowledge that reflects her passion for the field. Furthermore, her strong insight into course topics enables Mikayla to aid her peers in their learning.

Relevant links

• SFU CERi Graduate Fellows Fall 2025

Riley Williams (He/Him) | Sustainable Business Joint Major, Minor in Resource and Environmental Management, Certificate in Sustainable Development

What makes Riley a Changemaker?

Riley is the leading author of a journal article with SFU professor Emily Salmon and Dr. Jordyn Hrenyk (Uvic) on the drawbacks of using AI in qualitative data analysis regarding Indigenous knowledge systems. Research using artificial intelligence has the potential to harm marginalized ways of knowing, such as Indigenous knowledge systems. It has been submitted to Business & Society, a leading academic journal. Riley is also a research assistant on several projects! On one project, he analyzed more than 400 publications to identify common themes in Indigenous relationships to land. This research brings an equitable lens to development projects involving Indigenous groups, helping to understand their connection to place. On another project, he is the student lead for the Indigenous Management Database, the first of its kind, which is creating an online database of over 600 publications related to Indigenous management.

In addition to these projects, ​Riley strengthens global governance efforts to hold countries accountable for their commitments to protect biodiversity as a compliance analyst at the G7 Research Group, based out of the University of Toronto. He evaluates Canada’s compliance with the federal government's pledge to protect biodiversity and the restoration of nature. Riley's findings will be published in an international report and presented to the Canadian government at the G7 2026 Summit. Further, he volunteers as a research analyst for the Net Zero Tracker, hosted by Oxford Net Zero, tracking companies' adherence to their net-zero targets. The trackers cover over 2,000 companies, ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

Riley is also a research assistant at the Re:Structure Lab, which comprises researchers from Simon Fraser University (SFU), Stanford, Yale, and the University of Michigan, and is dedicated to uncovering and abolishing the current practices of forced labour and modern slavery. He works with SFU professor Dr. Kam Phung to curate teaching resources, compiling more than 100 articles, videos, case studies and publications into accessible materials that help instructors effectively connect with students.

Sienna Dickson (She/Her) | BA, Archaeology & Indigenous Studies Joint Major

What makes Sienna a Changemaker?

Sienna is a Changemaker because she does not simply participate in community, she actively reshapes it by amplifying Indigenous voices, strengthening representation and creating meaningful pathways for Indigenous students and youth. From her first semester at SFU, Sienna has demonstrated sustained, high-impact leadership grounded in advocacy, care and accountability.

As a long-serving board member of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Student Association (FNMISA), she helped drive advocacy, elevate Indigenous student concerns, and expand culturally grounded community-building at SFU. Sienna's impact is especially evident in outreach to potential students. As a panelist for SFU's Indigenous Preview Day, Sienna has played a vital role in shaping how future students experience SFU by offering authentic guidance, reducing barriers to access and fostering a sense of belonging in post-secondary education.

Sienna also strengthens student voices and access via her role as the Faculty Representative on the Archaeology Student Society Executive Committee. In this capacity, she helps students navigate institutional systems while building confidence, knowledge and a stronger sense of support within their academic community.

Beyond campus, Sienna contributes to the St. Mary's Residential School Photovoice Project, led by Dr. Wenona Hall and Dr. Natahnee Winder, as part of Xyólhmet Ye Syéwiqwélh: Taking Care of Our Children for the Stó:lō Nation. Through this Indigenous-led project, she supports survivor-centred storytelling, preserves lived histories and advances reconciliation in ways that are ethical, meaningful and accountable.

Sienna’s impact reaches far beyond her time as a student. She is actively building foundations for future Indigenous leadership at SFU that will continue long after her convocation. Her commitment to mentorship and community care produces measurable benefits for students and pushes SFU toward more authentic reconciliation and inclusion. Sienna embodies the true spirit of a Changemaker: one who leads with integrity, compassion and lasting purpose.

Earthwise Club, Burnaby Mountain Secondary

Team

Alexandra Szentirmai, Vivienne Szentirmai, Hershika Garg, Julia Kalirai, Michelle N., Joseph Silva, Elise Chum, Jingyao Jiang, & Nicole N. 

SFU Mentors

Alexia Ficzay and Kaitlyn Heslop

Project name

Unwrap from Single-Use

Description

This project aims to improve the recycling habits of Burnaby Mountain Secondary School’s students through infographics and signage around the school to raise student awareness about the environmental impacts of single-use plastics and improper recycling habits. Its second goal is to change the packaging of popular cafeteria items (e.g., cookies) to be environmentally friendly through careful research on environmental impacts and associated costs of alternative packaging materials.

Success for the first goal will be measured by collecting, analysing and interpreting data on student recycling habits obtained through observational surveys to determine if recycling habits have improved compared to baseline data. Success for the second goal of changing the cafeteria packaging can be declared as successful if the proposed new packaging was accepted by the cafeteria and their parent company.

This project will help to prevent recyclable material from being thrown in the garbage and contributing to pollution and environmentally destructive landfills. Through proper recycling practices, these materials can be reused and turned into something new, thus preventing new materials from needing to be extracted and processed for manufacturing goods. This helps to create a sustainable and circular economy.

Recycling is an important step towards sustainability; however, avoiding the use of these single-use plastics is also beneficial for our planet. By improving the packaging of the cafeteria items, Earthwise hopes to convert the packaging to a new material that has a lower environmental footprint in comparison to the current single-use plastics.

Centennial Trash Club, Centennial Secondary School

Team

Joshua Park, Alec Chang, Daniel Tsao, Emma Ma

SFU Mentors

Alyssa Smith, Victoria Yip, Zeenat Rostainajad

Project name

Eco Link

Description

The objective of this project is to deliver age-appropriate environmental education sessions at elementary schools, such as Parkland Elementary School, focusing on proper waste sorting, pollution, and the lifecycle of trash. Through interactive presentations and hands-on activities, the project aims to build early environmental awareness and encourage responsible habits among young students.

Success will be measured by student engagement, participation in activities and their ability to correctly identify and sort waste items by the end of each session. Understanding will be assessed through interactive discussions, activity outcomes and observation of learning across different elementary age groups.

This project contributes to environmental sustainability by teaching elementary school students how proper waste sorting reduces pollution, protects ecosystems and limits the spread of microplastics. By providing accessible, early environmental education in school settings, it supports social justice by equipping young learners with knowledge that benefits community health and environmental well-being.

Moscrop Secondary School Gardening Club, Moscrop Secondary School

Team

Renee Ta, Sophie McGowan, Isabella Liao, Fiona Tan, Chisato Morgan, Binh Pham

SFU Mentors

Cora Dickson, Samantha Brown

Project name

The Compost Collective

Description

The club is planning to establish a new composting system for the gardening club that will last for years to come.

The success of implementing the new composting system will be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. The students will first gauge whether the composting system works. A good rule of thumb for this is checking whether compost has developed after a few months (1–5). Once it is up and running, the amount of compost produced each year will be measured and compared to the amount necessary for the garden club. Finally, the students will also consider the social aspect of the composting system. They will note the efficiency of implementing the composting system and use of students inside and outside of the gardening club.

Introducing a new composting system to the community garden improves the sustainability of the garden. The composting system reduces food waste generated by the garden club and foods class that would have otherwise ended up in the garbage. Instead, this food waste works to create a cyclical system which eliminates the need for the garden club to purchase additional fertilizers. The garden would then have the capacity to provide additional food security to students in need. Finally, with the successful implementation of a compost system in the community garden, the gardening club hopes to create a more efficient and inviting space for prospective club members that will last for many years to come

Pinetree Environmental Club, Pinetree Secondary

Team

Morgan Holmes, Lanna Ulanday, Sabrina Zhang, Charlie Li, Lincoln Ho, Dowar Weiss

SFU Mentors

Laurence Mangenga; Ava Ferenc

Project name

Waste Sorting Revision

Description

Building on last year's project, the students in the Pinetree Secondary Environmental Club continue to show their commitment to providing a more sustainable environment for their community. This year, the club aims to implement and improve proper waste sorting at Pinetree Secondary by designing and installing plexiglass displays for multi-stream waste bins. This sustainability project will make it easier for students and staff to correctly sort their waste into recycling, garbage and compost, helping reduce contamination and create a cleaner, more environmentally conscious community.

Success will be measured by an increase in the correct use of multi-stream waste bins, as the Environmental Club aims to improve understanding of what materials belong in each bin. Positive feedback from Pinetree students and staff will also serve as a key indicator of the project's impact. Upon successful implementation, the club hopes this project can serve as a model for further adoption across other schools in School District 43, turning one school's effort into a district-wide movement toward sustainability.

The students in the Pinetree Secondary Environmental Club have excelled at promoting environmental sustainability through their project which aims to reduce landfill waste, foster environmental leadership and promote responsible consumption habits. Their drive and dedication towards finishing this project is excellent, and their work will have positive impacts on the Pinetree community for years to come.

Environment Club, Riverside Secondary School

Team

London Rosenzweig, Abbie Code, Vanessa Huynh, Kara Huynh, Jenny Lee, Layla Fahandezh Saadi, John Kwon, Presley Finlay, Jhamila Villagracia, Diya Singh, Janet Davies

SFU Mentor

Andrew Do

Project name

Recycling Awareness Campaign

Description

The project aims to survey the Riverside Secondary school community’s understanding of recycling, use the results to inform research and share the findings through an interactive research booth to raise awareness about recycling and its environmental impact.

Success will be measured through changes in knowledge, behaviour and engagement of the Riverside Secondary school community. First, the Environment Club members will conduct a preliminary research by carrying out a mini-study within the school, including surveys of randomly selected participants (primarily students) to assess baseline understandings of proper recycling practices. Results will then be analyzed and shared back with the community at the educational booth. Next, there will be an interactive tabling booth that will primarily be an educational space while also providing opportunities to collect brief, voluntary feedback and knowledge-check responses from participants. Finally, before and after observation snapshots of recycling practices in specific school locations (such as the cafeteria) will be conducted to view changes in environmental cleanliness and recycling behaviour following the educational booth.

This project contributes to environmental sustainability by fostering long-term awareness and positive attitudes towards responsible recycling within the school community. By positioning students as educators and advocates, the project supports the development of sustainable habits that go into everyday behaviour. Over time, this approach has the potential to reduce waste contamination and strengthen a culture of environmental responsibility.

This project advances social justice by emphasizing accessible, student-led sustainability education that encourages participation and shared learning. By creating opportunities for dialogue and reflection, the project makes sure that environmental knowledge is not limited to a single group but shared broadly across the community.

The project is designed to be ongoing and adaptable, allowing future students to build on previous efforts, refine educational materials,and expand the scope of sustainability topics. By encouraging continuous refection and improvement, the project supports lasting engagement with sustainability and empowers students to contribute meaningfully to environmental stewardship over time.